buenos aires, sabado por la noche

Saturday night the plans were up in the air. I was OK with, but didn't particularly want to go to La Viruta again. Not sure if I can take the combination of constant rejections and overly crowded dance floors. Emily was hanging out with a friend, so I was pretty much on my own.

I ended up having dinner with a guy from Portugal (Raul) and a couple of French girls (Veronique and Anne). After dinner, they were thinking of going to Palermo for a party, but not until later. So, we hung around and ended up at Plaza Derrego, the main outdoor square in San Telmo. The square was jam packed with people. There we met a couple friends of Raul's, and had a beer with them. I was shocked at the prices of the beers (AR$14 for 330cl). Definitely the most expensive I've paid here-- that the square is a popular tourist trap does not help.

Raul's friend Sebastian suggests that we go clubbing, and tells us of a club where his friends are. It's quite far, and no one really wants to take a taxi there, so we end up wandering around San Telmo a bit looking for a local club. Brad, Sebastien's friend, chats up some guy on the street who points us to Balcarce. We head there and the area is pretty happening. We pass by a place that has Argentine music pouring out, and I try to take a look in the door, but is pushed away by the bouncer. I try to tell him that I just want a quick look, but he won't let me anywhere near. WTF? Anyway, the guys find some club; the cover is 20 pesos. At this point, I decide that I really don't want to pay AR$20 to go clubbing-- that I'd rather be dancing tango. So I left them and did just that.

I first go to Independencia, and that's empty. Then I go to Peru 571, which has a few more people, but even then, dying pretty quickly. The night turns out to be pretty much of a bust.

Emily had texted me the address of a milonga that she was going to go at 3AM. 2450 Peron. I wish I had went. I had thought that was the address of La Viruta, and at that point, I didn't want to take the taxi ride all the way there. But it turns out this was an outdoor milonga, in the courtyard of a church. That would've really cool. Oh well. Live and learn.